Murphy is top fund-raiser in District 12 campaign

August 18, 1994|By Adam Sachs | Adam Sachs,Sun Staff Writer

State Sen. Nancy L. Murphy has raised about twice as much money as any other District 12 contender over the last nine months, but the incumbent says most of the money was spent in her aborted bid for Baltimore County executive.

According to campaign finance reports, Ms. Murphy raised $97,931 from Nov. 2, 1993 to Aug. 9, but her treasurer estimates that about 75 percent was collected and spent for the executive race from which she withdrew June 24 to concentrate on retaining her Senate seat.

"We had to start all over for the Senate race," said Ms. Murphy, a Democrat who has represented the southwestern Baltimore County district in Annapolis since 1982, including the last six years in the Senate. The redrawn district now also includes most of west Columbia, Rockburn and Elkridge, in addition to the Catonsville, Arbutus and Lansdowne areas.

The finance reports reflect the wide range of fund-raising activity among the 13 candidates running in the three senatorial districts representing Howard. For example, Anne R. Ward, a Republican candidate in District 14, filed an affidavit pledging she wouldn't raise or spend more than $300.

$94,331 spent

Ms. Murphy has spent $94,331 since November, including about $26,000 on fund-raising events, and has $19,005 on hand. She has raised $211,562 overall in the last four years.

In the latest reporting period, Ms. Murphy received $7,495 from political action committees (PACs), including $1,000 from the Baltimore County Firefighters, $500 from the National Rifle Association, $280 from the Fraternal Order of Police and $100 each from the Maryland State Teachers Association and the Cigar Association of America.

Democratic challenger Thomas E. Booth, a Catonsville developer, has raised $49,839 since November, including a $10,600 loan out of his own pocket, and has spent $29,193. He has $20,646 cash on hand.

Another Democrat challenging Ms. Murphy, former state Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer, said having a dedicated and active campaign staff can "overcome what money can buy in advertising and promotion.

"I knew [Ms. Murphy] would possibly have a lot of money. I'm not discouraged at all," said Mr. Kasemeyer, who has raised $6,782 during the latest reporting period and $17,155 overall, which includes his short-lived gubernatorial bid.

Ms. Murphy received an exemption from a General Assembly ethics rule that prohibits legislators from raising money during the session because she had said she wasn't running for re-election. She dropped out of the executive race on June 24, citing an inability to raise the $500,000 she needed to mount a serious challenge.

The other challenger in the District 12 Democratic primary, Frances Kathleen Ingram, has raised $2,894.

Republican efforts

On the Republican side, David Maier has raised $14,445, including $9,925 in in-kind services. A report from Christopher Eric Bouchat was not available yesterday. The reports will be considered delinquent if not postmarked by Tuesday.

Ms. Thomas received $14,485 from PACs -- including more than $8,000 from health- and medical-related organizations -- compared with $1,700 for Mr. Yeager. Ms. Thomas said much of the PAC money she receives is a result of her work on health care legislation. One-third of the money she has raised over the ++ last four years -- $33,142 out of $99,221 -- has come from PACs.

"That's pretty substantial," said Mr. Yeager, who has taken in $1,700 out of $31,276, or about 5.4 percent, from PACs.

Mr. Yeager received $2,500 from Mr. Miller's campaign organization.

He also received $500 from Phillip Morris USA, a cigarette manufacturer. "I make no commitments for any money," Mr. Yeager said.

Ms. Thomas has a cash balance of $37,083, compared with Mr. Yeager's $13,471. She said she has to raise more money than her opponent because Mr. Yeager is a three-term incumbent who has the Senate president's support.

Mr. Yeager said, "I think I have enough [money] to win."

As the District 13A delegate since 1983, Ms. Thomas has represented a portion of Mr. Yeager's district. The redrawn district includes east Columbia, Fulton, Highland, Guilford, Savage, Jessup, North Laurel and a portion of Prince George's County.

The Republican candidate for Senate in District 13, current Del. Martin G. Madden, doesn't have a primary. He raised $24,250 during the latest period and spent $26,001. He has raised a total of $79,541 over the last four years, including $18,265 from PACs, and has $22,085 on hand. He also lent himself $15,974.

In District 14 -- which includes Ellicott City, part of west Columbia, western Howard and northeastern Montgomery County, incumbent Republican Sen. Christopher J. McCabe raised $19,724 since November, and $62,144 over the last four years. He spent $15,855 during the latest period and has $17,440 cash on hand.

No PAC money

Mr. McCabe said he doesn't accept PAC money. "From a symbolic point of view, I'm able to tell voters I represent their interests," he said. "It allows me to vote my conscience."

In the Democratic primary, James P. Mundy raised $30,371 since November and $35,436 overall, compared to $6,970 overall for Michael Dupuy, including $4,549 in in-kind contributions. Mr. Mundy has $21,492 cash on hand, while Mr. Dupuy reported a balance of $57.

Mr. Mundy, a teacher at Glenelg High School, received a $1,000 contribution from the Maryland State Teachers Association PAC.